“Promoting Community Sustainability :Linking Research and Action”

1. “Promoting Community Sustainability:Linking Research and Action” Presented by: And Dr.Beth Savan, Director, Environmental Studies Program, Innis College, University of Toronto Dr.David Bell,Director, York Centre for Applied Sustainability, York University

2. a Community University Research Alliance(CURA) Supported by: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action www.sustainabletoronto.ca

3. What is a CURA? • A new funding program from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) • 22 Community University Research Alliance pilot projects funded in 2000 across Canada for 3 years (many others funded in 2001) • including our project, Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action • Primary goal for all CURA projects • to link community groups and universities, combining forces to tackle issues of common concern a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action www.sustainabletoronto.ca

4. What is a CURA? • based on the European “Science Shops” model • Primary goals for all CURA projects: • formally recognize role of community groups in undertaking research • recognize value of action-oriented research • encourage university outreach to the community • form partnerships for research and action a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action www.sustainabletoronto.ca

5. What is Sustainability? • Brundtland definition • Five broad requirements: • Integration of conservation and development • Satisfaction of basic human needs • Achievement of equity and social justice • Provision for social self-determination and cultural diversity • Maintenance of ecological integrity a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action www.sustainabletoronto.ca

6. SUSTAINABLE TORONTO Major Objectives • Engage all sectors • Increase collaboration • Build capacity • Enhance education • Aid informed decision-makers • Develop a network a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action www.sustainabletoronto.ca

7. Our Founding Partners • Environmental Studies Program, University of Toronto • York Centre for Applied Sustainability, York University • City of Toronto • Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy • Toronto Environmental Alliance • Health Promotion and Environmental Protection Office -Toronto Public Health • Learning for a Sustainable Future • FoodShare • Citizens’ Environment Watch • Map Reflections • Sustainability Network a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action www.sustainabletoronto.ca

8. The Projects ... • Seeds of Our City • Monitoring for Sustainability • Community Right to Know • Promoting Awareness of the Links between Health and Environment • Professional Development for Sustainable Learning • Building Management Capacity in the ENGO Sector • Understanding Shifts in Canadian Environmental Governance • Building Effective Leadership • Tool Kit for Sustainable Governance • Understanding and Facilitating Community-Based Research in Canada a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action www.sustainabletoronto.ca

9. Our Model • Research and action projects designed • Graduate and undergraduate students from York University and U of T hired • Academic Advisor from host university will assist research • Community group provides real-world application • Collaboration encouraged to help forge new alliances • Communications and outreach • New partners for future collaborations a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action www.sustainabletoronto.ca

10. What the Academic Community Brings to the Community Groups • New contacts • New funding and publishing opportunities • New openness • New skills and rigour • Student resources a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action www.sustainabletoronto.ca

11. What the Community Groups Bring to the Academic Community • A sense of place • Interesting research agenda • New skills • communication • Concrete environmental results • Opportunities for faculty and students to work in communities a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action www.sustainabletoronto.ca

12. Early Outcomes • new course and curriculum innovations • field work in community water monitoring for high school students links with GIS-based tool • Work Study • Graduate Research Assistants • Professional Experience Course • involved 70 students in the first half of the project • redesigned website for Toronto Public Health pulls together and analyses all existing publications • directory of ethno-cultural organizations and the environment published • CIELAP’s Community Right to Know study a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action www.sustainabletoronto.ca

13. Focus on: Project 7 Understanding Shifts in Canadian Environmental Governance Dr. Douglas MacDonald, Environmental Studies Program, U of T   Project 8 Building Effective Leadership Keith Stewart Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)  a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action

14. Contact Information Barbara Schaefer barbara.schaefer@utoronto.ca Project Coordinator 416 978 0169 tel Sustainable Toronto 416 971 2078 fax Beth Savan b.savan@utoronto.ca Director 416 978 7458 tel Environmental Studies Program 416 971 2078 fax Innis College, U of T David Bell dvjbell@YorkU.CA Director, 416-736-2100 x77095 York Centre for Applied Sustainability, 416-736-5436 fax York University Alison Collins acollins@YorkU.CA Project Manager, 416-736-5914 tel York Centre for Applied Sustainability, 416-736-5436 fax York University www.sustainabletoronto.ca a Community-University Research Alliance Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action